News

Bayou Eagles Deploy to Bulgaria

—Arie Church4/30/2015

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Louisiana
Air National Guard F-15Cs flew to Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria, earlier this
month to take part in Exercise Thracian Eagle alongside US and Bulgarian
aircraft, officials announced. "We are here to demonstrate our commitment
and resolve to our NATO Allies," said Lt. Col. Matt Rippen, commander of
the Louisiana ANG's 159th Operations Group, in a release. F-15Cs of the 159th
Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is comprised of Florida and Oregon ANG
aircraft, deployed on a six-month
theater security package earlier this month. Eagles from Florida's 125th FW and
Oregon's 183rd FW took part in exercise Frisian Flag at Leewarden AB, the
Netherlands, and were slated to join exercises at Graf Ignatievo as well.
Approximately 150 pilots, maintainers, and support airmen of the 159th Fighter
Wing deployed from NAS JRB New Orleans, La., to fly alongside Bulgarian air
force Mig-29 fighters and Su-25 ground attack aircraft April 16 to May 5,
according to the release.